Sci-fi Column by Gavin Grant

Sarah Monette has three books out this year: her first collection of short fiction, The Bone Key; her first collaboration with Elizabeth Bear, A Companion to Wolves; and her third novel, The Mirador, which continues the story begun in her two previous fantasies, MÅlusine and The Virtu. Magician Felix Harrowsmith and his half-brother Mildmay the Fox, a reformed cat burglar, have returned to...

Sci-fi Column by Gavin Grant

Sarah Monette's The Virtu is a humdinger of a fantasy full of action, romance, intrigue, a library god, characters named Mehitabel and Zamyatin and, of course, wizardry. The Virtu is a sequel to Monette's debut, MÅlusine, but due to some skillful backfilling, can definitely be read on its own. Felix Harrogate is red-haired, handsome and somewhat less devilish than he used to be. He has been...

Sci-fi Column by Gavin Grant

Sarah Monette's debut fantasy, MÅlusine, is the first half of a wonderful long novel (the second book comes out next year). Felix Harrowgate and Mildmay the Fox were raised (separately) as the lowest of the low. Felix finds a mentor, Malkar, who changes him until Felix can pass as highborn. Malkar, however, has long-range plans to bring down the Melusine government and uses Felix as his...